Hamamelis mollis plant named ‘5473’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Hamamelis mollis  plant is characterized by exceptionally large and abundant flowers with a rich fruity fragrance. It is also unique in that the leaves promptly drop in the fall, not persisting in an unsightly condition throughout the winter as in ordinary  Hamamelis mollis  seedlings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a Hamamelis which is a product of crossing aseed parent Hamamelis mollis ‘Fragrant Yellow’ (not patented) with anunknown pollen parent. The plant was discovered in a row of seedlingsgrown from seed of the Chinese Witch-Hazel ‘Fragrant Yellow’. I firstgrew this plant in potted understocks of Hamamelis virginiana commonWitch-Hazel in a nursery in Plainsboro Township, N.J. in 1988. Iasexually reproduced the plant by means of grafting of understocks atPlainsboro Twp. in New Jersey in January of 1991. I have observed theplants thus produced and find that the characteristics initiallyobserved are in fact reproduced in successive generations.

The Hamamelis family includes a varied and diversified group of shrubsgrown for their ornamental value. They are appreciated for their smallyellow or red flowers that have a distinct fragrance when fully opened.The fruit is pod like and dry at maturity, and is characterized by itsability to split at maturity with explosive force, flinging seeds up to40 feet from the plant.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Hamamelis mollis of this invention is distinguishable from thesister seedlings because of its exceptionally large and abundant flowerswith a rich fruity fragrance. It is also unique in that the leavespromptly drop in the fall, not persisting in an unsightly conditionthroughout the winter as in ordinary Hamamelis mollis seedlings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of Hamamelis is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawings and depicts at 12 year old specimen of the plantby the best possible color representation using color photography. Thecolor definitions in the specification have been taken from the MunsellColor Chart. While the colors depicted are believed to be of a highlevel of color fidelity, the coloration of this plant should beunderstood to be approximate and somewhat variable as a function ofclimate and the cultural conditions and horticultural practices of thegrower. For example, the leaf coloration may vary depending on thecomposition and the concentration of fertilizer that may be applied tothe plant.

FIG. 1 is a view showing several branches of the shrub; and

FIG. 2 is a view showing a close-up of the flowers.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Description of New Variety Hamamelis mollis ‘February Gold’.

Where originated: On property of Princeton Nurseries in PlainsboroTownship, N.J.

When originated: Fall 1988.

How originated: Seedling of Hamamelis mollis ‘Fragrant Yellow’.

By who originated: William Flemer III.

When and how and where first propagated: January 1991 by grafting topotted understocks of Hamamelis virginiana at Princeton Nurseries,Plainsboro Township, N.J.

Where specimens described were grown: Plainsboro Township, N.J.

Parentage:

Seed parent.—Hamamelis mollis, ‘Fragrant Yellow’.

Pollen parent.—Unknown.

Plant: Shrub.

Spread.—Approximately 1.5 m at maturity.

Height.—Approximately 2 m at maturity.

Hardiness.—Cold hardy to 10° F. — very frost tolerant.

Growth.—Vigorous upright branching, small, spreading, low.

Trunk:

Texture.—Smooth.

Slender.—4.5 cm in diameter.

Color.—Munsell moderate brown 7.5 YR 4/5.

Branches:

Slender.—0.75 cm in a diameter.

Length.—Approximately 25 cm.

Texture.—Smooth, pubescent for the first year.

Color.—Moderate yellowish brown — 10YR 4/4.

Crotch angle.—42°.

Lenticels.—Sparse, small — 0.2 cm. Color: Munsell strong yellowish brown10 YR 5/6. Number: 1 per cm of branch length. Size: 0.75 cm in diameter.

Foliage:

Quantity.—Moderately abundant.

Arrangement.—Alternate.

Length.—12 to 16 cm.

Width.—8-10 cm.

Thickness.—Thick.

Shape.—Obovate, short acuminate tip, obliquely cordate at base.

Color.—Upper surface — moderate green olive — 2.5GY 5/5. Lowersurface-strong yellow green — 2.5GY 6/8.

Texture.—Densely tomentose on under side. Smooth matte surface on upperside.

Disease resistance.—No noticeable foliage disease.

Attitude.—Horizontal.

Margin.—Entire, moderately sinuate toward the terminal end.

Petiole.—Short, 0.2 cm long. Color: Munsell moderate yellow-green 2.5 GY5/5.

Glands.—None.

Stipules.—Minute — 0.2 cm long.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.—Very hardy.

Size.—0.5 cm. long by 0.3 cm wide, borne on short, densely pubescentpetioles.

Shape.—Globular.

Color.—Strong yellowish brown — 10YR 5/6.

Sepals.—Minute — 0.2 cm long.

Calyx.—Shape — very shallow funnel. Size — Small, 0.3 cm. wide, 0.1 cm.deep. Aspect — Smooth minutely tomentose on the outside surface. Odor —No odor when rubbed. Color — Munsell dark red 5 R 3/7.

Peduncle.—Length — Short — 0.5 cm long; bloom long before leaves unfold.Surface texture — Minutely downy. Opening — Buds open simultaneouslyabout February in daylight. Not affected by adverse conditions.

Flowers:

Dates first bloom.—February 1^(st) to 15^(th); full bloom: February15^(th) to March 15^(th).

Quantity.—Abundant.

Size.—Flowers on observed plant are 4 cm to 5 cm across, about twice thesize of normal Hamamelis flowers.

Borne.—4 per flat cluster 4-5 cm. across.

Stems.—Very short — 0.2 cm; strong. Color — Munsell moderate yellowgreen 2.5 GY 5/5.

Form.—First open flat slightly cupped, then wide spreading. Permanence —Retains its form to the end.

Arrangement.—4 or 5 flowers per cluster.

Petalage:

Number of petals.—4 in single row.

Shape of petals.—Strap shaped.

Length.—2.5 cm.

Color.—Petals color vivid yellow — 2.5 Y 8/12. Flower center — Munselldark red 5 R 3/7; calyx Munsell moderate red — 2.5R 4/10.

Petals in center.—None.

Persistence.—Drop off cleanly after lasting up to 30 days.

Fragrance.—Richly fragrant.

Lastingness.—On plant — very long up to 30 days. As cut flower — long 6days.

Appearance.—Inside — Satiny. Outside: Shiny.

Texture.—Thin, leathery. Not affected by wet weather. Not affected byhot weather — blooming complete before hot weather.

Arrangement.—Regular, arranged in opposite pairs — four petals perflower.

Fruit: Dry two valved capsule.

When borne.—Summer, splitting open in late October.

Abundance.—Moderately abundant — average 550-600 flowers per plant —varies by age and size of plant.

Size.—1.5 cm. long, 1 cm. wide.

Color.—Moderate olive-brown — 2.5Y 4/4.

Variety.—Fertile.

Form.—Ovoid; flat headed; oblong shaped seeds, paired inside, tomentose,Dry two valved capsule.

Aspect.—Hairy tomentose — seeds inside are black, shiny, oval, flatheaded and 1.3 cm long by 0.4 cm wide.

Sepals.—Long lasting.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.—4. Anthers — very small. Color — strong, greenish, yellow — 10Y8/11. Arrangement — Tucked in calyx. Filaments — Threads — Very short.Color — Strong greenish yellow — 7.5 Y 7/9.

Pollen.—Color — Strong greenish yellow — 7.5Y 7/9.

Pistil.—Style — Paired, very short — 1 cm. long.

Stigmas.—Color — Brilliant yellow-green — 2.5 GY.

Ovaries.—All enclosed in calyx.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new cultivar of Hamamelis mollis plantcharacterized by exceptionally large and abundant flowers with a richfruity fragrance, and rapid abscission of its leaves in autumn.